Use of power supply to run equipments at homes, offices and industrial settings is the most obvious thing one notices and this power comes from various kinds of sources. Earlier we had steam and coal engines that powered the first and second industrial revolution and then came electricity which is the most crucial aspect of modern society be it our homes, neighborhood, streets, offices or industries that drive our economies.
Electricity is typically generated from hydro-power plants (Hydra means water) and supplied to our homes and offices through power stations. But what happens when we face some sort of power outage or when we don’t have any electricity, say in remote areas where there is no power supply? We depend on Gensets.
Generators or Generator sets (generator and engine) provide an alternative way to generate electricity power supply using fuels such as petrol, diesel or compressed natural gas (CNG). Most businesses don’t directly depend on gensets but in one way or other use gensets to supply uninterrupted power supply, say in data centres and healthcare facilities where power supply cannot be interrupted and a power backup must be present.
What is a Genset?
A genset is a portable source of power supply that consists of an engine and a generator. It offers a convenient and efficient way to use electricity without requiring to access electric power stations.
Gensets can be used as a backup source of power supply in various sectors like offices, schools, homes, shopping malls, healthcare facilities and manufacturing settings.
It generates electricity using petroleum fuels to run household appliances and industrial machineries, fulfilling the electricity requirements in case of power shortage or otherwise emergencies.
A genset is different from a generator, but the generator, genset, and electric generator are generally used interchangeably. A generator is a component of gensets, that converts the power of motion into electrical energy, while a genset is an engine that drives the generator to power up equipment.
Components of Genset
A genset has several components, each with a function to ensure correct operation. Here are the essential components of a genset:
1. Engine/Motor: It is one of the key components of the genset that runs on fuel, the combustion engine or motor generates the power of motion.
2. Fuel System: A Fuel system consists of a fuel tank that sends fuel to the engine. Fuel is an essential raw material of a generator, which helps in generating power supply.
3. Voltage Regulator: A voltage regulator is used to regulate the voltage levels of the generator to remain constant, rather than fluctuations in power supply.
4. Alternator: Alternator is a key component to generate power, without it, you have no power generation because the alternator converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.
5. Control Panel: It is considered to be a central controlling system of a generator because it controls and regulates all the other components.
What are the different types of generators?
There are different types of generators, each having their own different functionality and use. The types of generators that will suit your power source need to depend upon several factors like required wattage and type of fuel that will power the generators. There are diesel gensets that require diesel as fuel and offer high power output and there are gas gensets that use petroleum gas as fuel. These types of gensets offer low carbon emissions and are eco-friendly in comparison to diesel gensets.
Here are three main types of generators that are often used:
1. Standby Generators: Standby generators are generally powered by natural gas, propane, or diesel oil. They are permanently installed on the premises as power backups for houses, offices, and schools. It features an automatic start, seamless power transfer, and reliable long-term backup.
2. Portable Generators: Portable generators are used in various applications like powering tools at construction sites, and providing electricity support for outdoor events. They are powered by propane or diesel fuel. They offer portability, manual power start, versatility, and temporary power solutions.
3. Inverter Generators: Inverter generators are advanced mechanisms to generate power. They convert generated AC power to DC and then back to AC, resulting in low distortion and stable voltage. They are known for their clean and stable power output, making them suitable for electrical appliances like powering laptops, smartphones, cameras, and televisions.
Applications of gensets
A genset is a convenient, portable, and reliable power supply source. They can be used in various locations and sites where power is required. Here are some uses of where genset can be used.
1. Hospitals: Standby generators are used in hospitals as a power backup in case of power cuts. A hospital requires a continuous flow of electricity in the whole premises and must provide power to a number of machinery to care for patients. From life support equipment to medication that is stored in a refrigerator.
2. Homes: Portable generators can be used in homes to power up certain appliances during home emergencies. For example, if your electricity goes out, and you need power for your essentials such as lights, microwave, or refrigerator. You can use a portable generator to power it up for you.
3. Construction Sites: Construction sites may take place in a remote area or require a continuous flow of electricity throughout the construction process. Portable generators can fulfill worker's need to supply electricity to machines at different locations around construction sites.
4. Outdoor Events: Portable generators can be used to provide power for outdoor events or to provide light at night time. Generators are an excellent power option for use at music concerts, sports events, and weddings.
Benefits of Gensets
There are several benefits of using gensets as your power source as a backup generator. It is efficient and has low fuel emissions generators.
Let's discuss several benefits of gensets:
1. Portability: Easy portability of the generator is a major benefit of the genset which makes them easy to transport to any worksite.
2. Power Backup source: Gensets are a useful tool for backup power in cases of emergency. It ensures critical systems and operations remain in function when the power supply fails.
3. Easy Maintenance: Regular maintenance of generators as gensets can be easily kept on top performance. It will help in reducing the downtime in industrial operations and the production continues without any interruptions.
4. Saves Energy: Some gensets are specially designed to operate on peak-off hours when the cost of electricity is low, offering cost savings to businesses or industries.
To conclude, gensets are the biggest helping hand for us every time we face a power outage. From our homes to businesses, healthcare to construction sites, all required gensets to provide power and backup electricity. Gensets offer a convenient and efficient way to use electricity without requiring to access power stations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1) How do you maintain a genset?
1. Change the oil of the genset on an annual basis.
2. Flush the cooling system of Genset
3. Inspects wiring and electrical system
4. Change the oil filter, air filter, and fuel filter.
Q2) How does a genset work?
Gensets work by utilizing an engine powered by diesel, natural gas, or other fuels to start an electrical generator. The generator uses principles of electromagnetic induction to produce electricity, which is then distributed to various appliances.
Q3) Are gensets eco-friendly?
The environmental impacts of gensets will directly depend on the type of fuel used and the emission control system in place. Some gensets are designed to control emissions and reduce the environmental footprints of emissions.
Q4) What are diesel gensets?
Diesel gensets use diesel as a power source, they are also known as diesel generators. A diesel genset is a combination of a diesel engine and an electric generator (alternator) to generate electrical energy. They convert chemical energy, contained by the diesel fuel, to mechanical energy through combustion.
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